310. Jake Muise, Co-founder & CEO of Maui Nui Venison

Today, I'm joined by Jake Muise, co-founder and CEO of Maui Nui Venison.

 

Making meat planet-friendly, the company harvests wild, invasive axis deer on Maui to balance ecosystems while providing nutrient-dense protein.

In this episode, we discuss turning an ecological crisis into a regenerative food business.

 

We also cover:

 

• Balancing commerce, conservation, and community

• The pitfalls of the hyper-processed high-protein craze

• Why nutrient density labels could change the food system

 

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Website: mauinuivenison.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/mauinuivenison

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mauinuivenison

 

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Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:00) Jake's background and Maui Nui Venison overview

(02:00) Axis deer problem and invasive species impact

(05:00) The founding moment witnessing mass deer die-offs

(07:00) Seven years as nonprofit before becoming for-profit CPG

(09:00) Current scale

(11:00) Product mix

(14:00) Accidentally creating extraordinary nutrient density

(16:00) Critique of protein-washing and empty protein products

(21:00) Balancing commerce, conservation, and community

(23:00) Running constant experiments to solve complex systems

(26:00) Authentic mission-driven business as competitive advantage

(29:00) Four pillars: transparency, energy balance, purpose, taste

(32:00) Why nutrient density labels could transform food system

(36:00) Profitable regenerative agriculture through proper pricing

(38:00) New aged venison line and summer sausage launch

(40:00) Conclusion